The apparently sudden move comes after contention among police commission members over Coolbaugh Township's threat to pull out from the regional department.

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By JENNA EBERSOLE

poconorecord.com

By JENNA EBERSOLE

Posted Jun. 16, 2014 at 3:26 PM
Updated Jun 16, 2014 at 4:45 PM

By JENNA EBERSOLE

Posted Jun. 16, 2014 at 3:26 PM
Updated Jun 16, 2014 at 4:45 PM

» Social News

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Harry Lewis has announced his retirement and will move to a job in the private sector, he confirmed Monday.

Lewis said he announced his retirement Monday morning after 21 years of service and nearly six years as chief. His last day on the job will be Aug. 8.

The apparently sudden move comes after contention among police commission members over Coolbaugh Township’s threat to pull out from the regional department, but Lewis said that has nothing to do with his decision to leave.

Lewis said by email that he was offered the job “a while ago” but waited to leave until the department’s re-accreditation process was in order. The work for accreditation has finished though it will not become official until mid-July.

He said the new job is a “great opportunity.”

“I am truly blessed,” he said.

An executive session on personnel issues is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a special meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., Mount Pocono Mayor Fred Courtright said. He did not confirm whether it was linked to Lewis’ retirement.

The commission approved a new, three-year contract for Lewis in February.

Last year, Lewis stirred controversy when two teens were accused of stealing his service handgun from his unlocked, department-issued vehicle. He has said he was not disciplined for the incident, though commission member Juan Adams has said Lewis was disciplined without elaborating on how.